Stock assembly for a firearm

ABSTRACT

A buttstock assembly including a buttstock, a stock body removably couplable to a buffer tube of a firearm, and a pair of extension rods each having a first end coupled to the buttstock and a second end slidably received through the stock body. The extension rods are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A stop element is carried by the stock body and movable between an engaged position engaging the extension rods and preventing sliding movement therethrough and a disengaged position disengaging the extension rods and permitting sliding movement thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/425,160 filed 22 Nov. 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to firearms.

More particularly, the present invention relates to stocks for firearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of firearms, and in particular shoulder fired firearms, it is desirable to have an adjustable stock. Folding buttstocks have been well known in the industries, and offer the ability to provide a short and long position. Unfortunately, many stocks do not provide the ability to provide highly adjustable lengths between a full length and a short length.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable stock assembly attachable to a buffer system for a firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention, provided is a buttstock assembly including a buttstock, a stock body removably couplable to a buffer tube of a firearm, and a pair of extension rods each having a first end coupled to the buttstock and a second end slidably received through the stock body. The extension rods are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A stop element is carried by the stock body and movable between an engaged position engaging the extension rods and preventing sliding movement therethrough and a disengaged position disengaging the extension rods and permitting sliding movement thereof

In another aspect of the present invention, provided is a firearm including a lower receiver having a forward end, a rearward end and a buffer tube extending from the rearward end and a stock assembly carried by the buffer tube. The stock assembly includes a buttstock, a stock body removably coupled to the buffer tube, a pair of extension rods each having a first end coupled to the buttstock and a second end slidably received through the stock body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a stop element carried by the stock body. The stop element is movable between an engaged position engaging the extension rods and preventing sliding movement therethrough and a disengaged position disengaging the extension rods and permitting sliding movement thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a partial firearm including a stock assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the partial firearm of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the stock assembly of FIG. 1, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the stock assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the stock assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged portion of the stock assembly of the partial firearm of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of an enlarged portion of the stock assembly of the partial firearm of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate a portion of a firearm generally designated 10. The preferred firearm used in conjunction with the stock of the present invention is an AR15/M16 type firearm, although it will be understood that similar systems can be employed. Firearm 10 includes a lower receiver 12 having a forward end 14 and a rearward end 15. Lower receiver 12 will not be described in detail, as it is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, other than to detail a threaded receptacle 16 which receives a buffer tube 18 used in conventional firearms of this type. A stock assembly 20 is coupled to buffer tube 18 adjacent receptacle 16.

With additional reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, stock assembly 20 includes a pair of extension rods 22 having ends 23 terminating at a buttstock 25, and opposing ends 26 slidably received through a stock body 28. A plurality of slots 29 are formed along a length of each of rods 22 for purposes which will be described presently. Slots 29 are formed transverse to the length of rods 22. Stock body 28 is coupled to buffer tube 18, adjacent threaded receptacle 16 by a clamp ring 30. Opposing ends 26 of rods 22 are slidably received through stock body 28 and fixed in a desired position by a stop element 32 carried by stock body 28.

With additional reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, clamp ring 30 includes a body 33 being a portion of a tube having a curvature matching buffer tube 18. Body 33 includes a rearward end 34, a forward end 35, lower edges 37 and an inner surface 38. As stated previously, inner surface 38 has a curvature matching the curvature of buffer tube 18 and is intended to closely overlie buffer tube 18 when installed. Attachment posts 40 extend from lower edges 37 on either side of buffer tube 18. Body 33 is positionable over the top of buffer tube 18, with forward end 35 adjacent and preferably abutting threaded receptacle 16 and posts 40 extending downwardly on either side of buffer tube 18. Stock body 28 includes a side 42, an opposing side 44, a front edge 45 and a rear edge 46. An aperture 48 extends the length of side 42 from front edge 45 to rear edge 46, and an aperture 49 extends the length of side 44 from front edge 45 to rear edge 46. Apertures 48 and 49 are sized to receive opposing ends 26 of rods 22 therethrough. A receptacle 50 is formed in stock body 28 for receipt of posts 40. Fasteners 52 are received through the bottom of stock body 28, extending into receptacle 50 and received by threaded apertures 53 formed in posts 40. When fasteners 52 are tightened, clamp ring 30 and stock body 28 securely clamp buffer tube 18 therebetween, immobilizing stock body 28 relative thereto.

Still referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, stop element 32 includes a base 60, an actuating member 62 extending downwardly therefrom, an engagement member 63 extending from base 60 and an engagement member 65 extending from base member opposite engagement member 63. An upper surface 67 of stop element 32, between engagement members 63 and 65, is curved to match the curvature of buffer tube 18. An aperture 68 is formed in upper surface 67 and caries a biasing member, such as a compression spring 69. Stop element 32 is received in a slot 70 formed in stock body 28 intermediate front edge 45 and rear edge 46. Portions of slot 70 formed in sides 42 and 44 receive engagement members 63 and 65, respectively. Stop element 32 is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. Stop element 32 is biased into the engaged position by compression spring 69 captured between buffer tube 18 and stop element 32. In the engaged position step element is forced away from buffer tube 18 with engagement members 63 and 65 each engaged in one of the slots formed in rods 22, fixedly retaining rods 22 within stock body 28. In the disengaged position, stop element 32 is moved against the bias of spring 69, towards buffer tube 18, by pushing up on actuating member 62 accessible through an aperture 72 formed in stock body 28 underlying slot 70. In the disengaged position, stop element 32 has been forced toward buffer tube 18 with engagement members 63 and 65 each disengaging slots 29 formed in rods 22, permitting sliding movement of rods 22 through stock body 28.

Buttstock 25 is coupled to ends 23 of rods 22 in any manner, including using adhesives, press fitting, molding or threading rods 22 into apertures formed in but stock 25, and movable between an extended position spaced from buffer tube 18, and a collapsed position overlying buffer tube 18. A curved portion 80 of buttstock 25 extends forwardly to overlie buffer tube 18, and abut clamp ring 30 when in a collapsed position.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: 

1. A buttstock assembly comprising: a buttstock; a stock body removably couplable to a buffer tube of a firearm; a pair of extension rods each having a first end coupled to the buttstock and a second end slidably received through the stock body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and a stop element carried by the stock body and movable between an engaged position engaging the extension rods and preventing sliding movement therethrough and a disengaged position disengaging the extension rods and permitting sliding movement thereof.
 2. A buttstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a clamp ring coupled to the stock body; and fasteners adjustably coupling the clamp ring to the stock body and for clamping engagement with the buffer tube therebetween to prevent movement of the stock body relative the buffer tube.
 3. A buttstock assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the clamp ring includes a rearward end, a forward end, lower edges, an inner surface for engaging the buffer tube and attachment posts extending from the lower edges for positioning on either side of the buffer tube, the fasteners are received through a bottom of the stock body, and are received by apertures formed in the attachment posts.
 4. A buttstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of slots is formed in each of the extension rods, each of the plurality of slots being transverse to a length thereof, the stop element engaging selected ones of the plurality of slots with the stop element in the engaged position.
 5. A buttstock assembly as claimed in claim 4 further including a biasing member biasing the stop element into the engaged position.
 6. A buttstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stock body comprises: a side, an opposing side, a front edge and a rear edge; a first aperture extending the length of the side from the front edge to the rear edge; a second aperture extending the length of the opposing side from the front edge to the rear edge; and the first aperture and the second aperture sized to slidably receive the extension rods therethrough.
 7. A buttstock assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the stop element further includes: a base carried by the stock body between the side and the opposing side, an actuating member extending downwardly from the base through the stock body; a first engagement member extending from the base to the side of the stock body and a second engagement member extending from the base opposite the first engagement member, to the opposing side of the stock body, the first engagement member and the second engagement member extending into the first aperture and the second aperture, respectively with the stop element in the engaged position.
 8. A Firearm comprising: a lower receiver having a forward end, a rearward end and a buffer tube extending from the rearward end; and a stock assembly carried by the buffer tube, the stock assembly comprising: a buttstock; a stock body removably coupled to the buffer tube; a pair of extension rods each having a first end coupled to the buttstock and a second end slidably received through the stock body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and a stop element carried by the stock body and movable between an engaged position engaging the extension rods and preventing sliding movement therethrough and a disengaged position disengaging the extension rods and permitting sliding movement thereof.
 9. A firearm as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: a clamp ring overlying the buffer tube and coupled to the stock body underlying the buffer tube; and fasteners adjustably coupling the clamp ring to the stock body and clamping the buffer tube therebetween to prevent movement of the stock body relative the buffer tube.
 10. A firearm as claimed in claim 9 wherein the buffer tube is coupled to and extends rearwardly from a receptacle at the rearward end of the lower receiver.
 11. A firearm as claimed in claim 10 wherein the clamp ring includes a rearward end, a forward end, lower edges, an inner surface engaging the buffer tube and attachment posts extending from the lower edges on either side of the buffer tube with the forward end adjacent the receptacle, the fasteners are received through a bottom of the stock body, and are received by apertures formed in the attachment posts.
 12. A firearm as claimed in claim 8 wherein a plurality of slots is formed in each of the extension rods, each of the plurality of slots being transverse to a length thereof, the stop element engaging selected ones of the plurality of slots with the stop element in the engaged position.
 13. A firearm as claimed in claim 12 further including a biasing member captured between the buffer tube and the stop element, the biasing member biasing the stop element into the engaged position.
 14. A firearm as claimed in claim 8 wherein the stock body comprises: a side, an opposing side, a front edge and a rear edge; a first aperture extending the length of the side from the front edge to the rear edge; a second aperture extending the length of the opposing side from the front edge to the rear edge; and the first aperture and the second aperture sized to slidably receive the extension rods therethrough.
 15. A firearm as claimed in claim 14 wherein the stop element further includes: a base carried by the stock body between the side and the opposing side, an actuating member extending downwardly from the base through the stock body; a first engagement member extending from the base to the side of the stock body and a second engagement member extending from the base opposite the first engagement member, to the opposing side of the stock body, the first engagement member and the second engagement member extending into the first aperture and the second aperture, respectively with the stop element in the engaged position. 